Boston Injury Lawyer Blog

For Massachusetts and Boston area residents, the warmer weather often means spending more time outside. So motorcycle and pedestrian injury attorney Neil Burns wants to remind Boston area pedestrians and motorcyclists to remain safe as the warmer weather approaches. "It's a good time to review Massachusetts laws and road rules pertaining to pedestrian and motorcycle operation and safety," says Boston injury attorney Neil Burns, citing Massachusetts laws and regulations.

In Massachusetts, motorcycle riders and pedestrians alike are obligated to follow certain traffic regulations and road rules which help ensure safety. The following laws help promote the safe
interaction between motorists and pedestrians. Motorcycle riders must yield to any pedestrians entering or using a crosswalk in their travel path; never let your motorcycle block a crosswalk; motorcycles must yield to pedestrians if the traffic signal is red or if it is red and yellow; and motorcycles should never pass a vehicle that has stopped or is slowing for a pedestrian.

As for pedestrians, they should use a crosswalk if one is available; at crosswalks with pedestrian signals, they should use the push button on the signal pole and wait for the WALK signal. Special lighted signals are often used at crosswalks to indicate when pedestrians may cross a roadway. Pedestrians must obey the DON'T WALK and WALK signal, and at intersections without push buttons you will get WALK signals automatically; and, before you cross a roadway, stop at the curb and look left and right for traffic. Pedestrians must be alert, and be especially aware of cars turning onto the road you are crossing.

For Massachusetts residents, Boston Mayor Thomas Menino recently announced a major bicycling safety initiative for the City of Boston. Boston injury attorney Neil Burns has represented many victims who suffer injuries resulting from bicycle accidents. We "wants Boston and Massachusetts residents to stay safe while riding their bicycles."

Mayor Thomas M. Menino announced Boston's first-ever Bicycling Safety Summit to be held at 5:30 p.m. on Wednesday, April 21 at Boston University's Morse Auditorium. The Summit will gather area bicyclists and high-ranking city officials to discuss ways of improving safety for everyone who uses Boston's roadways. The Mayor's announcement comes in the wake of a third recent bike accident and ahead of Boston Bike Week next month.

Continue reading "Massachusetts Bicycle Safety in Boston " »

Massachusetts persons hit and injured by cars are covered by auto insurance. Recently, the District Court in the Boston suburb of Newburyport recently decided that a pedestrian does not actually need to be struck by the automobile in order to recover from the auto insurer. "While this case is not yet controlling," notes Boston accident and pedestrian injury attorney Neil Burns, "it still provides some nice clarity into when pedestrians can recover from auto insurance."

In this case, a women was at a yard sale when she witnessed a car hit a pole, and then careen toward her. She jumped out the way of the car, and in so doing she fell, hitting her head and breaking some of her teeth. She then sued the automobile insurance company for the medical bills she incurred as a result of jumping out of the way of the car. But the insurance company denied her claim, saying that because the car did not actually hit her she was not entitled to any insurance money.

Continue reading "Massachusetts Pedestrains Hit By Automobiles " »

In 2008, Boston, Massachusetts was the twenty-first largest city in the United States. We have seen our share of this in our personal injury practice. Because Boston is such a large city, a number of pedestrian accidents happen each year. In fact, more than 5,000 pedestrians die each year in the United States because they are hit by motor vehicles or bicycles.

To be safe when sharing sidewalks and streets, it's important to be aware of your surroundings. By taking simple precautions, you can prevent injuries and possible death. Three of the most common accidents involving vehicles and pedestrians are caused when pedestrians make the following mistakes:

Continue reading "Avoiding Pedestrian Injuries in Massachusetts" »

We have been representing victims on bicycles and pedestrians who have been struck by cars and trucks in Boston, and throughout Massachusetts, since 1985. Each case is different, however, we have drafted this column for general reference for our clients.

Massachusetts has a law which guides lawyers and courts as to the legal responsibility of bicycle riders:

Continue reading "Massachusetts Bicycle and Pedestrian Injury Cases Handled by Boston Firms" »